The decision to reduce the team points limit to 36 has meant that two Kent Kings stalwarts from both of the last two seasons now can’t be included in the 2015 line-up.

With last year’s skipper also now unavailable for selection due to other machinations in the National League rule book it’s been a case of change and ‘au reviors’ said.

First to leave the fold is Simon Lambert, the twice Laurels champion having now reached the grand age of 25 years, is now prohibited from ‘doubling’ between the Premier League and the National League.

The Kings’ Captain Fantastic from last year who started and ended the campaign at number one in the averages has been selected again as a Fast Track rider in the Elite (with the Leicester Lions, after having filled that role with first Birmingham and then King’s Lynn last term), a reward for seasons of consistent scoring in the third tier but the age-related rules mean another campaign of juggling all three leagues is no longer permitted.

Outgoing team boss John Sampford (who is handing over the Kent Team Manager reins to Chris Hunt in 2015) has known Simon for a number of years and pays tribute to his contribution.

He said: “Simon was a fantastic club captain for us last year.  Stepping into the racing boots of someone who had basically become an instant club legend in Steve Boxall was not an easy thing to do and the biggest compliment to Simon is that he did so instantly and immediately became a fans’ favourite and a hugely reliable scorer. 

“It was frustrating for all of us that through no fault of his own he did have to miss a number of home meetings due to fixture clashes and then injury, but his scoring both at Central Park and especially away was prolific and inspired us to our third place in the division.

“The way he helped and advised newcomers to the sport in the team, particularly Danny Ayres was simply fantastic and leaves a lasting legacy. We wish Simon all the best for the 2015 campaign which we’re sure will be a breakthrough one for him”.

Saying goodbye to David Mason and Benji Compton is even harder as both former League Riders Champions have been members of the Kent Kings squad or two seasons.

He added: “David Mason has been, as his long-established nickname has it, total ‘Magic’ for the Kings since we opened.  Establishing an all-time record as the highest scorer in the NL is something which actually may never get broken – well apart from by David himself, of course, as we are sure he’ll be carrying on in pastures new in 2015!

“It was great to see him increase his other record as top maximum scorer in the third tier last year with performances at Central Park which were actually consistently outstanding.  David has to battle illness too to ride and he does so without complaining and like Simon he has played a major role in bringing through the likes of Danny.  A real leader and a great guy – we thank David for all he’s done for the club and will welcome him back warmly as a visiting rider in 2015.

“As of course we shall Benji who has also ridden for us for both of our seasons in the sport and will be much missed.  The reality is that with a point’s limit of 36 it is literally impossible to leave the team unchanged, though in an ideal world we clearly would’ve liked to retain the stability we have aimed for at Central Park; and if we could’ve Benji would have been back. 

“Sadly the reality though is this is not possible and so we have to say goodbye to Benji.  As a lot of fans will know Benji travelled a long way every Monday to ride for us and his dedication and the great efforts he put in – leading to him assuming the number one race jacket for a period last term – will also be remembered and appreciated by all at the club.  As with Simon & David, we wish Benji (who ended 2014 of course with a winners medal in the Elite League with Poole) the very best for the rest of his career.”

Sampford explains how team building is going now following the departure of these three favourites, “We have Ben Morley as our number one now – and it needs to be pointed out that with riders like Simon and others moving up divisions and no longer riding NL, Ben is actually the third highest averaged rider available for selection in the league – behind only the Mildenhall captain who just piped Ben to the NLRC, Dan Halsey and the GB Under 19 champ, Oli Greenwood.

“There’s no question it’s his time to be a really top rider in this league and we’re sure that is what is going to be confirmed when tapes rise in April.  The decision to adopt a lower than expected points limit of 36 means we need to be looking certainly at two three point rides at reserve – this will be common across all teams in the League.  We hope to announce the first of these shortly and want to complete our team declaration as soon as possible.”